By Fr. Francesco Cardarelli, cpps

Dear Father, as soon as I read your last letter my mind was crowded with so many things: that I had deceived myself, that I had deceived you and everyone; I would run to the Crucifix without being able to hold back my tears and I would feel my spirit comforted at times, but I could not persuade myself otherwise, only resign myself…Is it true that between me and the Direction willed by God a wall of division is put up? How it hurts me to say that between me and the Crucified Jesus there is this painful division; I am content to die a thousand and one times rather than be separated from Crucified Jesus, and I don’t want anything to stand between me and Him! Never will I be happy if my heart is not all of Jesus, but great is my fear, that as soon as I remember all that I have to do I will be stunned. Thoughts crowd in on me from all sides…         

(Maria De Mattias, Letters vol. II, n. 426, p. 233-234)

 My dearest daughter, internal and external travails are a hedge to the soul like in a vineyard; cutting it out hard but necessary. Consider them this way and accept them in peace and humbly: resignation, hence trust in God. Let them not delay the works of your call, but be to you as of a good Umbrella when it rains, or when the sun burns. Think how good God is, who by making us fearful makes us more watchful and draws us more to Himself. One day we will understand the order God has maintained to lead us to salvation, and we will not cease thanking Him!

(Giovanni Merlini, Letters to Maria De Mattias, vol. I, n. 42, p. 106)